Behind the Hoodie: What It’s Like to Be an SRA in UCL Accommodation
Image Courtesy: Lucy Pope via UCL ImageStore
If you live in UCL Accommodation, you certainly have heard of Student Residence Advisers, or SRAs. From helping solve conflicts with flatmates to dealing with addiction problems, SRAs are trained to support students with mental or physical issues and emergencies. They offer peer-support and make sure residents feel safe and understood during their time in UCL Accommodation. Pi Media has interviewed Ema, a PhD student in Cyber Security, and Nick, a postgraduate student in Computer Science, to learn more about their positions.
Nick wanted to become an SRA after his first year at McGill University, where some students had a role similar to SRAs. He liked being surrounded by others and being able to talk to them. He’s found that being an SRA is rewarding, since he gets to help other students and build communities.
Like Nick, Ema wanted to help others. When she moved from Slovenia six years ago, she was alone in a new city and had to become independent. She would have loved to have somebody she could open up to.
Both students also found practical benefits in being an SRA as well. For example, they receive rent-free accommodation in halls in exchange for their time and help with students.
SRA’s training is heavy and serious. During the summer, SRAs spend a week training from 9 to 5. They cover different topics related to mental health and first aid, and they learn about services and how to manage difficult conversations and situations. Both Ema and Nick found training useful, because “it offers great skills for personal life.”
SRAs are in charge of hosting weekly activities in halls as part of Flourish, UCL Accommodation’s residential life program. These events help to build a feeling of community and inclusion among the residents. Nick is “always happy to run the activities…it’s fun for SRAs too.”
SRAs are on duty from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am, even throughout weekends and holidays. This is to make sure that students always have someone they can reach in UCL Accommodation. Nick explains: “What can be stressful is the uncertainty… anything can happen. But it’s fine because we can call other SRAs, the Hall’s warden, or the emergency services if something happens that we can’t handle by ourselves.”
Ema also points out, “In general, the calls are not that serious. However, unfortunately, I have already faced difficult situations, like cases of sexual assault and addictions. I have monthly check-ins with psychiatrists from the Student Support and Wellbeing Services to talk about it.”
Despite this demanding commitment, sometimes, the SRAs’ roles are not really known or understood by students. Moreover, boundaries need to be set between SRAs and students, to allow them to keep a professional relationship in order to help them in the best way possible. As Nick explains, “Throughout the training, we defined our role and the boundaries we had to set up. We are not really supposed to be friends with students. We have friendly conversations with them but we can’t hang out with them or become friends.” Ema also affirms that UCL is working to increase SRAs visibility. “I think one issue is making sure that students don’t view us as academic staff instead of students, and a support that can guarantee them confidentiality”.
Nick and Ema also shared advice for prospective SRAs. “To me,” said Ema, “You should just be you. Listen to the person in front of you. The first thing is to be a human you can listen to, before giving the resources that can solve the problem.”
Nick agreed, saying, “If it’s something you’re interested in, have empathy and don’t fit into the role of a therapist. Be yourself, because it’s nice to see how people can bring out their own personality, since more students could identify with the team.”
To speak to an SRA, you can ask the reception to call the SRA, or you can go and talk to them if you see them wearing their SRA hoodie in your hall. You may also book a non-emergency appointment via this form.